15 places for shopping in Seoul to fulfill your journey

Jul 31, 2018

5 min read

by Mai Nguyen

Korea is famous as one of the world’s shopping heavens with various affordable items. You can buy necessities and boutiques in any stores or fashion streets of Seoul. The best shopping places in Seoul has not included the modern shopping malls but also spreading to most of the districts in the city. Below is 15 places for shopping in Seoul as recommendation for travelers from Inspitrip

Dongdaemun market – Euljiro 6(yuk)-ga, Jung-gu district

Dongdaemun is more boisterous at night, a must-go destination for visitors in Seoul. The market gathers many sellers. You can recognize them by their pair of sunglasses, calculator in hands or bags. Many fashion stores in Myeong-dong buy wholesale clothes from Dongdaemun.

Dongdaemun is the first place for shopping in Seoul @ haught_6863__nolan

Tips: Keep the price at 60% of what the shopkeepers said. You have to make a bargain.

Myeong-dong – Jung-gu district

Myeong-dong represents to the whole Hally (flow of Korea) as global popularity of South Korean culture. Travelers will easily find clothes, boutiques, skincare products… and many popular items appeared on local TV shows. Along with the Kpop exhibitions, some restaurants and food stores are the must-try ones. Although Myeong-dong is not big, its full of famous brands will surprise you. It’s also the reason that Myeong-dong is always crowded. Indeed, splurging in Myeongdong is an amazing thing to do in Seoul for any vanity seeker.

Everything in Myeong-dong is worth-a-try! @punch_lt

Opening time: 10:30 – 22:30

Tips: Try to keep the price at 80% of the said price. Myeong-dong gathers many beauty stores. They will offer customers some small gifts on occasions.

Honggik University – Jung-gu district

Honggik University or Hongdae has majors in arts, which makes the neighborhood has the romantic and creative atmosphere. On weekends, Hongdae’s students usually sell handmade gifts in the near area for children. In the morning, it only has some small stores but has a different face at night as the most attractive night market. Korean culture covers the whole area: You can satisfy your hunger then have fun at a noraebang, a Korean-style karaoke room. Remeber to enjoy the little Soju to fulfill the night after shopping at Seoul.

Opening time: 11:00 – 22:00

Tips: It’s okay to make a bargain to 90% original price. The main major of Hongdae is arts so the neighborhood has many related stores with colorful handmade products. Visit for idealist gifts!

Ewha’s Woman University – Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun district

Ewha’s Woman’s University or Edae is the world’s biggest university for female students. At the main entrance of Edae, there are some clothing, footwear and cosmetics stores for women. Seoul people usually call Edae the “City of Beauty”. Most stores start selling at 11:00 in line with student schedules and some stores closed on Sundays. Then, visit Edae in the afternoon of the week to be able to enjoy shopping in Seoul.

The City of Beauty, literally @khaomai_km

Opening time: Depending on the student’s time of school, many stores close at the weekend.

Tips: You should buy products with 70% of the said price. Walking around Edae takes times so mind your timeline.

It’s slightly smaller than other underground shopping malls. However, if you rent a hotel near this area, take a moment to walk around the Jonggak area.

Opening time: 10:030 – 22:00

Tips: You should make a bargain to 50% of the said price

Yeongdeungpo underground shopping area

Yeongdeungpo is always the major transportation hub of central Seoul. Incheon International Airport takes the subway to Seoul passing through this area. That long tunnel connecting two large department stores, leaving you from morning to night to enjoy this shopping places.

Seoul Express Bus is definitely a shopping paradise suitable for Asian ladies. There are countless fashion boutiques at much cheaper prices than Dongdaemun and Namdaemun. Moreover, you can easily pick up good bargains with the shopkeepers.

Opening time: từ 10:00 – 22:00

Tips: You should ask for 5% discount.

Jamsil underground shopping area – Songpa district

Although Jamsil is not a large-scale shopping mall, it houses more than 100 stores. Besides, Lotte World and Lotte World City Shopping are adjacent, so after having fun all day, you can come here to eat, shop and relax.

The tunnel-shaped area is long enough to hardly see the exit. Bupyeong is an hour’s drive from Seoul and is the largest underground shopping area in Incheon. People say Bupyeong’s price is much more affordable than Seoul’s so be careful to not spend all the money!

Opening time: 11:00 – 22:00

Tips: Shopkeepers rarely overcharge so you can enjoy shopping with ease.

It is not far from the Seoul Express Bus subway. Go to the shopping mall under the KangNam Underground definitely offers you a great shopping experience.

Of course, it’s Kangnam @indigo_z

Opening time: 10:00 – 22:00

Tips: Although KangNam is an expensive area, the price is unbelievably affordable. Shopping in Seoul is cheaper than your thoughts.

Apguijeong – Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam district

The Apgujeong shopping mall is for the wealthy in Seoul. There are many designed boutique shops and beauty clinics. There are also luxury stores and shopping centers. International brands such as Goyard, Valentino and Saint Laurent are all in the Galleria shopping area. In addition, Apgujeong Rodeo Street is the home to cosmetic and beauty treatments as well as dining at its eateries and restaurants.

Apgujeong also features the Multi-Plex Cine-City Theater, Cineplus and Nanta Theater with fashion events and music festivals held each year.

Opening time: 10:00 – 22:30

D-Cube City – Guro district

D-Cube City is part of the big complex in Sindorim. It has a 5-star Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City, an art center, and an outdoor park. The shopping area also provides direct access to Seoul Metro Station (Line 1 and 2), linking to Ansan, Suwon, Incheon, and Bucheon. In addition to shopping in Seoul, visitors can watch the various plays, musicals, and exhibits at the D-Cube Theater and Space Sindorim Theater. Besides, the kids can experience the game at Pororo Park.

Opening time: 11:00 – 21:30. On weekends, 11:00 – 22:00

Itaewon – Yongsan

Itaewon is located in Yongsan District, famous for its hip-hop stores. The points of sale for fake goods, shirts, jewelry are at here. Especially, customers can shop comfortably because the seller is fluent in English. After shopping, you can enjoy global cuisine in this area.

Garosugil – Shinsa-dong, Gangnam district

Fashion fans in Korea love Garosugil because it quickly updates their fashion trends. With reasonable prices and many choices, Garosugil is very suitable for young shoppers. On weekends, you’ll see cars lined up and traffic jams often occur. In Garosugil there is a mix of small private shops, large clothing stores interspersed with lovely coffee shops.

In addition to the indoor coffee, Garosugil is also featured by Western-style outdoor dining outlets. Therefore, in addition to the famous shopping area, it is also a meeting place for young people.

Colors on the way @co.co.kr

Opening time: Most shops close around 21:00 – 22:00

Gwangjang market – 88, Changgyeonggung street, Jongno district

Gwangjang Market is located in Jongno district, Seoul. Later, people add other items such as silk, clothing, cloth, hanbok, kitchenware, imported products, fruits, vegetables… Gwangjang market is especially famous for hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and payback (wedding food that brides must prepare). If you want to have a traditional gift to mark the Seoul journey, let’s head to Gwangajang.

Opening time:

General stores 08:30-18:00

Restaurants 08:30-23:00

Clothing stores 21:00-10:00 (Next day)

Seoul is waiting for you to explore its hidden gems in shopping. Be mindful to choose the best places, shopping in Seoul should mark in your journey as the most precious experience.